U.S. Soccer has announced that Tom Sermanni has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team, effective immediately.

U.S. Soccer Director of Development Jill Ellis will serve as interim head coach, starting with the USA's next match against China PR on April 10 in San Diego.

"We want to thank Tom for his service over the past year and half, but we felt that we needed to go in a different direction at this time," said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. "We will begin looking for a new coach immediately to guide our Women's National Team toward qualifying for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup."

"I'm disappointed that things didn't work out, but I'd like to thank U.S. Soccer for the opportunity to have coached this team and also the staff and players for all their hard work," said Sermanni.

Ellis previously served as interim head coach for seven matches at the end of 2012, going 5-0-2.